The i875P chipset is the best out there for intel now. The 865PE, if you choose the right board, will perform identically at stock speeds. Certain mobo's will allow you to enable the "PAT" memory acceleration in the springdale chipsets, which is the only technical difference between the two internally.

The best current choices for mobo's are the Asus P4C800E / P4P800, or the Abit IC7Max3. If you are overclocking, the asus is your better bet. The albatron 865PE pro II is another recommendation of mine.

Originally posted by karsh44 MSI Neo2-FISR is a good fast 865 board, not too expensive.

You can get an 875p version too......works really well, its got onboard gigabit lan,onboard sata and ide raid, onboard 6 channel sound etc etc...and the onbourd stuff is good qual. It will run the 3ghz chip well (mines running the 2.4C due to a lack of funds, otherwise it would have the 3.0 or possibly 3.2 when it is cheaper)...is it the 3.0 or the 3.066 you will be buying? dont worry answered it myself by reading your post...hehehe im not slow *sarcastic smiley*

long story short get the 875p if u can, and i recomend the MSI 875p neo fis2r....its a great board

"Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door" - Homer J Simpson / Edgar Allan Poe

The 865 has all the same features as the 875 msi board, and is as fast or faster than the 875 in testing, for the reason DMOS mentioned. Its $40 less than the 875 too. I see no reason to pay that, put it towards a faster cpu.